Players have earned their places in squad, says Appiah

Kwesi Appiah calls for support for the Black Stars after making a couple of surprise inclusions in his preliminary 26-man World Cup squad.

With some young players forcing their way into his thoughts and into his squad for the 2014 World Cup finals, Appiah explains that the squad announced on Monday was the best out there.

Appiah, who has been around long enough went for both youth and experience as there were no newcomers.

“This is the best squad that I have assembled and I want every Ghanaian to support us to reach our target,” Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah said after announcing his team.

“I know many Ghanaians have their favorites and may want them to be included in the squad for whatever reason.”

When asked about selecting a squad that has 18 players gunning for their World Cup debuts, Appiah said: “But I like I said earlier, not everyone can be selected and these are the best players I have settled on.

“Let’s have faith in them so that they can deliver our behalf.”

Appiah also feels the likes of Jeffery Schlupp, who is capped once for Ghana imposed their ability on his thinking.

“Like you said [Jeffery] Schlupp has been invited just once but I have been monitoring him even during the Nations Cup,” he said.

“He went to Manchester United [on trials] but he was moved into attack and I thought to myself I didn’t need any strikers.

“But he was moved back to left-back when he returned to Leicester and as you all know Leicester have qualified to the Premier League.

“I have been monitoring him [Schlupp] since December and I have been looking for a competent left-back so I want to closely assess him and see.”

John Mensah, who captained the team at the previous World Cup had no place in the squad with the Black Stars coach explaining that his limited game time due to injury made it impossible to take him along.

“He was injured for some time and when he got a team, we were all happy for him.

“We were hoping that he will get fit and join us but since he played 11 minutes for his club six weeks ago and got injured, he has not recovered.

“We are looking at players who are 100% fit to represent the country. We know he is a good player but it’s unfortunate he is not been playing. We wish that he is part of us.”